Filing-tray.



No. 806,030. PATBNTBD NOV. 28, 1905. L. 0. WALKER. FILING TRAY. urmonxonFILED NOV.1, 1002.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES PATENTED NOV.-28, 1905.

'NOI

' L. 0. WALKER. FILING TRAY. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1902-- 2SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q INVENTBR.

WITNESSES- ffdrw @7275 KW)%AM/Z BYM JITMRNM,

operates the locking-rods.

UNITED STATES PATENT LOUIS o. WALKER, or 'MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN. a

' FlL lNG-TR AY. I I I Specification of Letters Patent.

rammed Nov. 28, 1905.

. Application filed November 1, 1902- Serial No. 129,685.

' Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Filing-Trays,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements infiling-cases; and the invention consists in the combination of parts andconstruction hereinafter particularly pointed out in the specificationand summed up in the claims. 7

The objects of the invention are, first, to furnish alocking device forthe contents of the case that is positive in its action and which can bereadily operated and which will disappear below the drawer-bottom whennot in operation; second, to utilize the guide-rods as guide or pivotrods for the follower and also as a support for the locking-rods; third,

to utilize the follower as a stay or support for retaining thelocking-rods in suitable position when said rods are in use forretaining the cards in position; fourth, certain other objects, setforth and described in this specification. These objects I accomplish bymeans of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1. shows a perspective view of a cardfiling trayconstructed in accordance with my invention, and showing, among otherthings, the follower with the support for the lockingrods. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view through the center of the traybetween thelocking-rods showing the position of the follower with reference to theguide-rods and locking-rods and also showing the connection between thelocking-rods and the guide-rods.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the tray near therear endthereof, showing the inner end plate and also the position of theguide-rods and locking-rods when said locking-rods are turned down outof locking position and below the upper surface of the drawer-bottom.Fig. 4 is a like sectional view showing'the locking-rods raised intoposition to engage with the cards in the tray. Fig. 5 is a transversesectional view of the tray near the front end thereof, showing a slottedplate which Fig. ,6 is a sectional View similar to that shown in Fig. 5,but with the locking-plate turned into'position to raise thelocking-rods into engagement with the cards. Fig. 7 is a like sectionalview having a modified form of slotted plate, such form consisting in aplate having two slots instead of one, which necessitates a slightmodification of one of the end links, which is provided with a studengaging with the upper slot. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view ofthe tray, taken in the rearof the fol lower, showing a plate secured tothe follower which is adapted to lock the follower upon the guide-rods.Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional View in front of the follower, showingthat portion of the follower which engages with the guide-rods when saidguide-rods are raised into locking position. I Similar letters refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the tray, which is adapted to receive and hold the cards.

B represents the handle or button placed in the front end of the tray.This handle is provided with the shank S, which passes through the endof the tray, as shown in Fig. 2, and engages with the slotted plate I.The engagement may be made by means of a screw K or in any othersuitable manner, the connection between the handle B, the shank S, andthe slotted plate I being rigid, so that by turning the handle theslotted plate is turned for the purpose of raising and lowering thelocking-rods G. V

I provide a follower C, consisting of a substantially inverted-U-shapeclpiece of suitable material, preferably wood, having one of itsfaces'beveled and of a slightly-shorter length than the inside width ofthe tray. This follower straddles and is firmly attached to aplate-support D. The plate-support D is constructed, preferably, ofangle-iron having one of its members turned toward the bottom of thetray and its other member turned toward the rear end of the tray and issomewhat shorter than. the follower proper to which it is attached inorder that the lower end of the member, which is turned toward thebottom of the tray, may fit in a recess in said bottom.

J, as fully shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

D in order that its lower end may fit in the recess in the bottom of thetray and has its lower end bifurcated to permit the raising and loweringof the locking rods G G, as shown in Fig. 8.

F F are guide-rods extending from front to rear and preferably soconstructed as to rock or'turn a short distance for the purpose ofallowing the proper movement of the lockingrods G.

G G are lockingrods, each rod Gr being connected or pivoted at each endto one of the guide-rods F by means-of a link or bar H.

This link or bar may be made integral with the guide-rod or may be maderigid or pivoted thereto in any other suitable manner, the guide-rodsserving also as ways for the follower, each guide-rod passing through aholein the plate D and another hole registering therewith in the plateE, the opening through the plate E being of such size that when theplate E is placed in a perpendicular position the follower may be movedin either direction upon theguide-rods; but when the plate E is turnedout of perpendicular position, thus turning on its hinge at B, it willcome into engagement with the guide-rods and be locked thereby. Theplate I is provided with a slot Each locking-rod has a pin-or stud whichengages with the slot J so that when the slotted plate I is turned fromthe position shown in Fig. 5

-=the two locking-rodswill be raised into locking position, as shown inFig. 6, and by reversing the movement of the slotted plate I thelocking-rods will be carried downwardly below the upper surface of thebottom of the tray'and lie in the position shown in Fig. 5.

The ends of the rods G G may be extended into the slots and formthestuds which operate or control the movement of the lockingrods.

In Fig. 7 I have shown theslotted plate by O and have also shown twoslots, one indicated by P and the other by Q. The movement of thisslotted plate 0 will give to the locking rods the same motion as withthe movement of the slotted plate I.

I prefer to use a plate (shown by M) at the rear end of the tray intowhich the guide-rods F F are journaled at their rear ends. However, thisplate might be dispensed with and the rods journaled directly in the endof the tray.

The locking-rods G G, extending as they do from the front to the rear ofthe tray, are liable to be pressed toward each other when in use, and inorder to obviate this I so construct the follower that the downwardprojection T on the vertical arm of the plate-support D is interposedbetween the two rods and prevents the same from being pressed together.This arrangement greatly increases the efficiency of the rods andabsolutely prevents them from allowing the cards to become disengagedtherefrom.

In front of the slotted plate I and between the same and the front endof the tray I prefer to use a plate which is shown in thedrawings by L.This plate L should extend down far enough to receive the front ends ofthe guide-rods.

By the construction above described, the locking-rods, being attached bylinks H to the guide-rods, are held rigidly in place, and by means ofsaid links or bars H,are held at proper distance apart and are made totravel, by means of the slotted plate I, in the proper direction to lockthe cards into the tray. By journaling the guide-rods below theuppersurface of the bottom of the tray 1 am able to turn thelocking-rods into a position below the upper surface of the tray, sothat the cards fitting into the case rest upon the bottom of the traywithout coming into contact even with the guide-rods or thelocking-rods. By the use of the downward projection (shown by T) I amenabled to retain the locking-rods always in proper position withoutreference to the position of the follower.

The device constructed as above described is effective in operation, notliable to get out of repair, and securely retains the cards in position.The follower, constructed as described, can be readily moved in eitherdirection and can be locked in any position required.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to have invented, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a tray of a lockingrod for the contents of thetray, a guide-rod extending from the front to the rear of the tray, afollower movable on said guide-rod, a connection between the locking-rodand the guide-rod ateither end of said locking-rod for supporting saidlocking-rod, and means for raising and lowering said locking-rod intoand out of position, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a tray, an oscillatory guide-rod extending fromthe front to the rear of the tray, a follower movable upon the guiderod,a locking-rod bodily movable with respect to the guide-rod andconnections between the locking-rod and the guide-rod for rocking theguide-rod when the locking-rod is raised or lowered, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination of a tray having a recessed bottom, a guide-rodseated in said recess and journaled at its opposite ends in the frontand rear ends of the tray, a follower movable upon said guide-rod, alocking-rod, means for'connecting said'guide and locking rods together,and means for raising and lowering said locking-rod into and out'ofposition, said locking-rod adapted when raised to lock the contents ofthe trayin place and when lowered to'seat in the said recess,substantially 'a link at each end of the guide-rod for connecting it tothe. locking-rod, and means for raising and lowering said locking-rodinto and out ofposition, said locking-rodadapted when raised to lock thecontents of the tray in place and whenlowered to seat in said recess.

5. The combinationof a tray having a'recessed bottom, a guide-rod seatedin said recess-and journ'aled at-its opposite ends in the front and rearends of the tray, afollower movable upon and locked by said guide-rod,

a locking-rod, a link at each end of the guide-' rod for connecting ittothe locking-rod, and

meansfor raising and lowering said lockingrod into and out of position,said locking-rod adapted when raised to lock the contents of the-trayinplace and when lowered to seat in said recess.

6. 'The combination of a tray having a recessed bottom, aguide-rodiseated in said recess and journaled at its opposite ends inthe front and rear ends of the tray, a follower movable upon saidguide-rod, a locking-rod,

' links connecting each end of the guide-rod to each endiofthelocking-rod, and a plate engaging with said locking-rod and adaptedwhen operated to move'said locking-rod into and out of locking position,substantially as described. 7. The combinationof a tray having arecessed bottom, a guide-rod seated in said recess and journaled at itsopposite ends in the front and rear ends of-the tray, a follower movableupon and locked by said guide-rod, a locking-rod, links connecting eachend of the guide-rod to each end ofthe locking-rod, and a plate engagingwith said locking-rod .and adapted when operated to move saidlocking-rod into and out of locking position, substantially asdescribed.

8. The combination of a tray having a recessed bottom, a guide-rodseated in said recess-and journaled at its opposite ends in the frontand rear ends of the tray, a follower movable upon said guide-rod, alocking-rod, a link .at each end of the guide-rod for connecting it tothe locking-rod, and aneccentrically-mounted plate engaging with saidlocking-rod and adapted when operated to move said locking-rod into andout of looking to lock the cements of the tray in placea'nd when loweredto seat in said recess, substantially as described.

9. The combination of a tray having a recessed bottom, a guide-rodseated in said recess and journaled at its opposite ends in the frontand rear ends of the tray, a follower movable upon and locked by saidguide-rod,

a locking-rod, alink at each end of the guiderod for connecting it tothe locking-rod, and an eccentrically-mounted plate engaging with saidlocking-rod and adapted when operated to move said locking-rod into andout of. po-

sition, said locking-rod adapted when 'raised to lock the contents ofthe tray in place and when lowered to seat in said recess, substantiallyas described. i

10. The combination with a suitable tray of a pair of locking-rods,suitable means for raising and lowering said locking-rods, a followerand suitable means carried by the said follower for supporting thelocking-rods in proper position to retain the cards in thetray when saidlocking-rods are in looking position substantially as described.

11. The combination with a tray of a pair of guide-rods supported at oneend by the front ofthe tray and at the other end by the rear end of thetray, the follower moving on said rods, a pair oflocking-rods, each rodbeing rigidly connected at each end to one of the guiderods, a downwardprojection from the follower between the locking-rods and in position toretain the locking-rods in looking position, substantially as described.

12.: In combination with a pair of guiderods F a pair of locking-rods G,links for connecting the guide-rods and locking-rods at each endthereof, a slotted plate I, a pivot connected to the locking-rods andengaging with the said slot, a handle'B, and a shank S connected to thesaid slotted plate and adapted to raise and lower the locking-rods G,said tray having a slot in'its bottom adapted to entirely receive saidlocking-rods when not in looking position, substantially as described.

13. The'combination with a suitable tray of a pair of locking-rods andplates H, H, suitable means for raising and lowering said locking-rods,a follower and suitable means carried by the said follower forsupporting the locking-rods in proper position to retain the IIO cardsin the tray when said locking-rods are in -looking position,substantially as described.

14;. The combination of a tray having a reand adapted to turn therewith,means for raising and lowering said locking-rods into and out of lockingposition, a follower movable upon said guide-rods, means carried .bysaid follower for holding said locking-rods when position, saidlocking-rod adapted when raised r raised in locking position, and alocking-plate cessed bottom, guide-rods seated in. said removablyconnected to said follower having its lower end adapted to engage anddisengage with said guide-rods for locking and unlocking said followerupon the guide-rods, substantially as described.

15. The combination of atray havinga recessed bottom, guide-rods seatedin said recess and journaled at their opposite ends in the front andrear ends of the tray, lockingrods connected at either end to theguide-rods and adapted to turn therewith, means for raising and loweringsaid locking-rods into and out of locking position, a follower movableupon said guide-rods, said follower having a downward projection on itslower end for holding said locking-rodswhen raised in locking position,and a locking-plate movably connected to said follower having its lowerend and lowering said locking-rods into and out of locking position, afollower conslsting of a substantially inverted-U-shaped piece ofsuitable material having one of its faces beveled, a plate-supportrigidly secured to said follower and movable upon said guide-rods andhaving a downward projection for holding-said locking-rods in lookingposition when raised, and a locking-plate movably connected to theplate-support and adapted to lock said follower upon the guiderods,substantially as described.

17 The combination of a tray having a recessed bottom, guide-rods seatedin said recess and journaled at their opposite ends in the front andrear ends of the tray, locking-rods connected at either end to theguide-rods and adapted to turn therewith, means for raising and loweringsaid locking-rodsinto and out of position, a follower consisting of asubstantially inverted-U-shaped piece of suitable material having one ofits faces beveled, a platesupport rigidly secured to said follower andmovableupon said guide-rods and having a downward projection for holdingsaid lockingrods in looking position when raised, and a locking-platemovablyconnected to the platesupportand adapted to engage with saidguiderods for locking said follower, substantially as described.

18. The combination-With a tray having a slotted bottom, of a guide-rodmounted within the slot and extending fromithe front to the rear of thetray, a follower movable on said guide-rod, a locking-rod for thecontents of the tray, a connection between the locking-rod and theguide-rod at either end of saidlocking-rod for supporting saidlocking-rod, and means for raising and lowering said lockingrod into andout of position, said locking-rod adapted when out of locking positionto rest within said slot, substantially as described.

19. The combination of a tray having a slotted bottom, of an oscillatoryguide-rod mounted within said slotand extending from the front to therear of the tray, a follower movable upon theguide-rod, a locking-rodbodily movable with respect to the guide-rod and adapted when out oflocking position to lie within said slot, and connections between thelocking-rod and the guide-rod for locking the guide-rod when thelocking-rod is raised or lowered, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

LOUIS C. W'ALKER. Witnesses:

A. G. DENISON, EDWARD TAGGART.

